Jerry Seinfeld says ‘Free Palestine’ movement is worse than Ku Klux Klan

The comedian argued that “Free Palestine” is really just a cover for Jew hatred.

By World Israel News Staff

Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld compared anti-Israel demonstrators to the Ku Klux Klan during a recent surprise appearance at Duke University.

Seinfeld, known for his iconic 1990s sitcom, is a vocal defender of Israel and visited the Jewish state after the October 7 massacres in a show of solidarity.

In his remarks at Duke, Seinfeld argued that pro-Palestinian activism is rooted in antisemitism and intellectual dishonesty. He contrasted that with the KKK’s overt racism, which he said is at least forthcoming.

“Free Palestine is, to me, just, you’re free to say you don’t like Jews. Just say you don’t like Jews,” he was quoted as saying by the student newspaper The Duke Chronicle.

“By saying ‘Free Palestine,’ you’re not admitting what you really think,” Seinfeld continued. “So it’s actually, compared to the Ku Klux Klan. I’m actually thinking the Klan is actually a little better here because they can come right out and say, ‘We don’t like Blacks, we don’t like Jews.’ Okay, that’s honest.”

A Duke University spokesman said in a media statement that the educational institution “does not preview the remarks of speakers who are invited to campus, and the invitation of speakers to campus does not imply any endorsement of their remarks.”

The spokesperson added that the Jewish student group Chabad at Duke organized the event and invited Seinfeld.

The event also featured freed hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was introduced by Seinfeld. According to Duke, Seinfeld requested that Shem Tov’s appearance not be announced in advance, as the focus was on Shem Tov’s spiritual journey during captivity.

Seinfeld was previously targeted by anti-Israel activists at the university, having delivered Duke’s commencement speech last year.

During his speech, demonstrators repeatedly interrupted his remarks, while some students booed or walked out.